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Mother’s Day breakfast is an American tradition, but we Dads love at hot meal in the morning too!  Real men do eat quiche, but steak and eggs is a manly classic that this Dad would love to eat on Father’s Day.  This version takes this dish a bit beyond diner fare: I like to use good New York strip steak, cook it to medium-rare perfection and dress it with a rosemary-infused olive oil you can quickly make yourself.  Fruit is a nice complement to this rich meal, but I’ve also upgraded the fussy traditional chopped fruit salad with something that’s simpler and, I think, more appealing. [click to continue…]

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Hibiscus Cooler

Tuesday, June 4, 2013
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Drinks made from the hibiscus flower (or flor de Jamaica as it’s know in Latin America) refresh people in Latin America, North Africa, the Carribbean and parts of Asia, but about the only version common in North America is Red Zinger herbal tea.  Nothing wrong with that, of course, but this drink has a deep, [...]

Refreshing the Southampton Foyer: the Reveal

Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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It’s a refreshing change.  It was close, but we went with the blue , which was what most of you recommended in your comments and emails.  The yellow would have been cheerful, but it didn’t seem like enough change.  The green too was a nice fresh color, but when we tested it on the walls, it, the green carpet in the [...]

Rhubarb #2: Orange Rhubarb Polenta Cake

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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This delicious cake has become an instant family favorite.  I’ve made two in the past week, and David and Julia have requested another for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.  Like Roasted Rhubarb with Orange and Spices, it marries the tart flavor of rhubarb with oranges and cinnamon, but this time the tender fruit is a [...]

Rhubarb #1: Roasted with Orange and Spices

Thursday, May 16, 2013
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For me, rhubarb is one of those flavors that tell me that spring has finally arrived.  I love its tart freshness, but I think it’s best in combination with other flavors — on its own, rhubarb can be a little overpowering.  The traditional pairing with strawberries won’t work for us right now because Julia has [...]

Kale Salad with Mint and Serrano Peppers

Sunday, May 12, 2013
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Kale, and particularly kale salads, seem to be all the rage at the moment.  I’ve made and eaten quite a few of them now, and this one –inspired by a popular salad on the menu at New York’s ABC kitchen– is my favorite.  Its flavor is bold and delicious, and this recipe solves a couple [...]

Help! Refreshing the Southampton Foyer –Again

Monday, May 6, 2013
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Yes, again.  About two and a half years ago, you helped us with a new color for our foyer in Southampton, and we chose the beautiful marigold color we have now. We’ve enjoyed it, but we’re ready for a change, and I’d appreciate your advice again.  We’re in the mood for a change because we’re [...]

Socca with Ramps

Sunday, April 28, 2013
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For followers of the foodie calendar, it’s ramp season.  These tender wild leeks appear for a just few weeks in spring, get overexposed in the food press and on seasonal menus, and then vanish completely for the rest of the year.  Don’t be put off by the hype, though.  If you run across ramps in [...]

The Watercooler

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
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I realize I’m rushing the season for this sort of drink, but we had a brief flash of summer last week in New York, and it reminded me of a drink that I made a few weeks before during our spring break in sunny Palm Springs.  It’s light and refreshing, and it’s delicious with or [...]

The New Dining Room Rug

Wednesday, April 3, 2013
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We love it.  It came in early and under budget –a rare bird in the world of interiors– but most importantly, when we unrolled it late one Tuesday night (I couldn’t wait until morning), we knew it was perfect, or at least perfect for us. A lot of the credit for this — for the [...]